Stella LaRoche

Sewing/Costume Crafts Portfolio

Xmas Bag

December 2025
This bag was made using Mood Fabric's Pecan Bag pattern and scraps I had collected from work and personal projects. It was then given away in a white elephant gift exchange.

Dress & Undergarments

December 2025
This project was the final for the costume technology class I took. It is based almost entirely on the 1893 dress in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1 (the only things changed were the overlayer of the bodice and the waistband.) Undergarment patterns were drawn from multiple sources and altered to work with the dress form.

Traffic Cone Hat

November 2025
The traffic cone hat was an assignment for costume technology and inspired by the costume shop manager saying one of the fabrics we had in stock left over from a show would be perfect for a traffic cone. I then took the idea and ran with it.

Flowers & Feathers

November 2025
A project for costume technology class, these co-projects had us learning how to make fabric feathers of many types and how to alter plain/cheap feathers to be more fanciful.

Dancewise: Mistique

November 2025
For this dance concert I was mainly a stitcher for the beige costumes but I also did some burn enhancement coloring and hemming.

The Oresteia

October 2025
I was the first hand for the construction of the wrap cape for the Watchman which was based on a project I'd done for a class the previous semester. The pattern was based on the American Duchess wrap cape pattern.

Stitch Sampler

October 2025
This was the expansive sitch sampler we started with in costume technology. Containing a vast array of the sewing skills needed both in that class and in general in the field, it was a good reference project for everyone.

1/2" Scale Dress Form

September 2025
This was the first project in costume technology, a base we could use for projects later in the class. The colorful patches on mine are reinforcement/mending over areas that were not holding together well due to the type of fabric we were given.

Summer Mending

June 2025
I was on the staff at Shakerag Workshops for week 2 during this summer and the class I took was Katrina Perdue's "Mending in a State of Abundance". This meant I spent a full week learning different mending techniques and getting to work on my own mending projects; some I'd already started, some dug out of the repair bin for work during that week. I also made some of the samplers we were working on into fingerless gloves during my down time.

Wrap Cape

May 2025
This cape was my final project for fabric manipulation class. I used American Duchess' wrap cape pattern and the fashion fabric was hand dyed by yours truly. The lining was pre-dyed. The swords were printed on top as the last step by a stamp I hand carved.

Paper Lace

April 2025
For fabric manipulation class, using the copious loose bits of metallic thread in the shop and water-dissolvable paper.

Devore

April 2025
For fabric manipulati-
on class. Velvet devore'd and dyed.

Shibori

March 2025
My midterm for fabric manipulation class.

Dye Resists

March 2025
Dye resists on silk over a frame for fabric manipulation class.

Color Removal

February 2025
Dye remover on black fabric for fabric manipulation class.

Color Matching

January 2025
The first project in fabric manipulation class, we were asked to dye several different fibers and weaves to match the same paint chip (the darkest one).

Dancewise: Eye of the Beholder

November 2024
I was the main stitcher for all bodices and pants in this dance.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

October 2024
Being new to the shop, I mostly did ribbon and trim applique and some repairs on blouses. I also put together the underskirt and linings for Maria's gown.

Graduation Bags

August 2024
For my friends' graduation presents I made them customized draw string bags with gifts inside. The pattern was self drafted and honestly the perfect size for such a bag.

Denim Corset

September 2023
The first corset I made. Using a Red Threaded pattern helped me feel confident in what I was doing and I made a corset that fit well and looked great. Unfortunately I used weak denim so it has not held up well to time.

1860's-ish Ballgown

April 2023
This project was constructed in bits and pieces over a two month period, the beaded embroidery being added several months later. I cannot for the life of me find hte pattern I used for the bodice, but everything else was hand draped and mathed out.

Shorts

March 2023
Elastic shorts with an elastic waistband.

Winter Mending

January 2023
My first foray into visible mending through the winter.

Ballgown Underpinnings

December 2022
The first big step in the 1860's-inspired ballgown was getting the hoopskirt roughly the right shape and putting together some petticoats. All of these bits were self-draped/mathed.

Denim Walking Skirt

October 2022
My first non-mockup using my 1890's walking skirt pattern. Used denim from damaged denim.

October 2022
This was originally a pattern test mockup for the 1890's walking skirt I'd drafted from "The Keystone Jacket and Dress Cutter" but since the pattern worked I ended up incorperating it into my wardrobe as a light weight summer skirt.

Tie-On Pocket

September 2022
This was my second iteration of the tie-on pocket concept. This one is bigger than the first one to accomodate more things but ended up feeling bulky on the body.

Circle Skirt

September 2022
I needed another layer before a camping trip and threw this skirt together. It is a proper circle skirt that layers beautifully, adding volume and warmth.

Chemise

August 2022
This chemise has proven useful despite the thick fabric and awkward cut of the neckline. One day I'll make a new one.

Shorts

August 2022
The first garment I made with two leg holes, this was yet another massive learning curve for me. Despite not loving the fit the eventually turned out with I thorougly enjoyed the construction process.

Skirt

July 2022
This began with intentions to become a cosplay but very quickly became its own unique garment. The back train piece is entirely seperate, attached with several skirt hooks to the base/front skirt.

Tie-On Pocket

March 2022
The first tie-on pocket I experimented with. I loved the concept and was wearing a lot of skirts without pockets so I figured it was worth a shot. I loved the functionality and learned severl things about plackets and sewing on curves.

Jumper

March 2022
This jumper was the first project I used a commercial pattern for and I really jumped into the deep end with a highly fitted waist portion, pockets, and zipper insertion. It was a massive learning experience for me that I am very grateful for.

Apron

December 2021
An Xmas gift for my mom, this was mostly random scraps of fabric and ribbon I had around. She still uses it despite it's odd fit.

Skirt

October 2021
This was originally supposed to be a circle skirt because I thought it would be a good first garment-sewing project. (I was a fool.) It ended up just being a gathered skirt becasue I got the math wrong.